Expressing question

[ttcnewbie123]

Hi ladies,
Hope u can help! I definately don't want to start a debate on breastfeeding but I have chosen to formula feed but I just wondered if it wud still be possible for me to express some milk also, even if only for the first few weeks? Will my milk dry up if not breast feeding constantly? Also I've read when expressing, even if u can only express an ounce or two its ok to mix it with formula? Any answers much appreciated!x

 

[mummyflanagan]

sorry hun i dont know as formula fed my DD but planning on breastfeeding my baby didnt want to read and run x

 

[princesskiki]

I'm sure that if ur not constantly expressin u won't produce enough then ur milk drys up. I think I'm not 100 perc x

 

[ljo1984]

my sil had problems with her lo latching so was pumping several times a day for a couple of months and had to be given medication to help her production. even with this she was supplimenting with formula as she wasnt pumping enough. so it might be hard work to just pump occasionally. also she had to hire a hospital grade pump as they have better suction.

 

[Tampa]

I think princeskiki is right. It seems you have to express fairly often in order for the milk to keep flowing - but there's no harm trying is there? And those hand pumps are really cheap if you wanted to give it a go. A midwife told be your milk production is highest in the middle of the night - that might be the best time to try?

Good luck!

 

[ttcnewbie123]

Thanks ladies, I've got the free nuby breast pump so def worth a try plus with hubby being at home for the first two weeks hopefully I'll have time to pump a good few times a day/night even if I do only get an ounce on each occasion. I'll ask my midwife for advice too x

 

[SmartieMeUp]

I'm only planning to BF/express for the first few weeks after birth for nutrients then go onto formula. I asked this to my MW at my 36 weeks check. She said your body needs the baby's stimulation to carry on producing the milk, so unless the baby is latching, it's not really worth expressing unless you master the self-stimulation. Try to have LO latch and express afterwards and store the milk in advance (lasts up to 6 weeks frozen).

There is no harm in using breast milk and formula, but it depends what your baby prefers.

 

[lynnikins]

you can do it though your supply probably wont last long

 

[ttcnewbie123]

you can do it though your supply probably wont last long

I was only thinking the first couple of weeks?x

 

[madge]

If you express for 15 min after everytime your baby feeds (day and night) then your milk should come in and you should get good amounts. Frozen breast milk can be kept in the freezer for 6 months. If you take some fenugreek capsules too this will help. I expressed exclusively for 7.5 months, and my LO didn't have any formula in that time. In the breast feeding section of this forum, there is an 'exclusively expressing' sticky - have a read its full of good advice.

 

[FeistyMom]

Its definitely worth a try! Some women have a difficult time keeping up a supply without the LO's direct stimulation, but like madge says if you stick to a pumping routine that matches babies feeding schedule, it can help.

I would actually pump one side while nursing on the other (I was lucky enough to produce enough milk that each feed was typically only one side), and that gave me my best numbers, so if you can pump while feeding your baby, that can help get the milk flowing.

I do not know what the right ratio would be to mix the breast milk with the formula though - so you will probably want to consult with a pediatrician or lactation consultant or something to make sure there is no risk of dehydration. I would think it would be minimal and not really anything to worry about, but that would be my only concern.

 

[vintage67]

Such a variance here that it's hard to know a proper answer.

With my son never being able to master a latch, I was unalbe to produce much of anything with even a hospital grade pump, several herbal supplements and 3 lactation consultants.

Other ladies are able to exclusively pump quite a bit of milk for many months.

Good luck. You won't know what it will be like for you until you try.

 

[ttcnewbie123]

If you express for 15 min after everytime your baby feeds (day and night) then your milk should come in and you should get good amounts. Frozen breast milk can be kept in the freezer for 6 months. If you take some fenugreek capsules too this will help. I expressed exclusively for 7.5 months, and my LO didn't have any formula in that time. In the breast feeding section of this forum, there is an 'exclusively expressing' sticky - have a read its full of good advice.

Thanks for this, v helpful!x